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Tips for Managing Test Anxiety & Stress
When anxiety and stress begin to hinder how you perform on exams, there are three
main areas you can examine to help to decrease the negative feelings.
1. Mental preparation
is a main concern when confronting test anxiety and stress. Before
the exam, plan on implementing a variety of strategies:
Be thoroughly prepared.
Make sure you have thoroughly studied all topics. If you
have confidence that you know the subject matter, you will feel less stressed and
anxious.
Review the material.
Set aside 15-30 minutes each day to review the material you
have learned. Trying to cover two months of material right before an exam is not
an effective way to study. By reviewing bit by bit, you will reduce last minute
anxiety and stress.
Arrive to the exam location early.
If you are early, you will be less stressed and go
into the exam with a clear head. Arrive a minimum of 15 minutes early.
During the exam you should be “test-wise” and plan for taking a test.
When you receive an exam, stop for a minute, take several deep breaths, relax,
and then begin reviewing the directions and the test items. Some anxiety is
normal- we are all human!
READ THE DIRECTIONS
for each section. Students typically lose points on exams
because they do not follow the directions, not because they don’t know the
material.
On a timed test, spend time on questions that have a higher point value. Try to
answer as many questions as possible, thoroughly read each question; do not skim.
If a question is giving you trouble, come back to it. Don’t waste time by spending
an over abundant amount of time on one question.
Learn from the test! Often times, some questions on an exam reveal answers to
other questions. Be mindful when reading the questions and look for clues to help
you.
Take your time! Read each question slowly; don’t rush through the exam. This is
how mistakes are made.
Most importantly, try to remain calm.
If you feel your stress level rising, take a deep
breath, close your eyes, and
remind yourself that you can do this!
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Section 4 – Learning to Learn & Stress Relief Management